Disappearing window for vehicles



Jul 1927. y l 635H4 y 19 A. A. 'rowERs v DISAPPEARING WINDOW FOR VEHICLES Filed .June 25 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Rq'HLm'TawA-Hs. Y 3f gg Hrromvll- July 19, 1927. 1,636,394

A. A.,TowERs DISAPPEARING WINDOWy FCR VEHICLES Filed Jue 23 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2" l i '0&2

Patented July 19, 1927.` I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR A. TOWERS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

nrsarrmnme WINDOW ron vErrrcLEs.

Application nieuwe 23, 1925. seriai No. 39,007.

`My invention relates to improvements in disappearing windows for vehicles and .the like, and has for its Objects the provision of pearing position and otherwise limproving upon the` structure in further detailswhich will bepointed out and claimed.

At the present time vehicleV windows are constructed of heavyv or late glass, mounted in rigid frames, and .s iding in felt lined channels; It is a common experience that such vehicle windowsk are subject to more or less wearwhichl induces annoying looseness andV rattling of the windows. Obviously, the glass may not be` subjected to violentimpact or to-great pressure without incurrin the danger of breakage, and it is practica ly impossible t-o prevent the rattling of a vehicle window of this type after it has y become worn. i

Accordingly, I have` devised a mounting .for the window glass whereby itis flexibly supported from all sides, thereby permitting theuse ,of/a lighter and cheaper` grade of glass with thefattendant advantages of less placed under tension when the'window is in yits completely disappearing position sothat it will be automatically elevated when. the tension is released. Said springs ,also act as buiers when the 4window is droplpedas by.

releasingthe lateral clampswhic normally hold the window in any desired elevated position. These lateral clamps are of' elon gated type and are associated with screw-v acting means which'insure the gripping lof.

lthe, adjacent window frame andthe retention' of said frame in any of its adjusted xpositions. 'i

Within-the disappearin slide which is adapted to accommodate t erwindow iramel `of m invention, I preferably provide guide" `men1 ers which bear laterally againstrthe window `frame and maintainits 'alinement l with the slide to avoid binding -,and`.rattling,` vand render the operation of the disappearing window easyand certain.V Locking and cover `ineans likewise are preferably pro- `4partially weight and `practical eliminationl of thevided for` the window frame wheni'in its disappearing position.

'lhe structural features of lmy improvevmeint and further/advantages and details mayl best be explained in connection with the accompanying. drawings, wherein:

' Figure l isa top View of the disappearing Window of my invention, Vpartially broken away and section.

Fig. 2 is a view thereof in elevation, also partiallysectioned.

Fig.- 3 is an irregular transverse A section on the line13 3, Flg.l 2.r j

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section on broken away inv various areas, and

'Figi 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sec-A l L `tionen line 5 5, Fig. 4Q

Figsf, 7` and 8, respectively, are enlargedl fragmentary sections on lines 6 6, 7 7, and 8 8, Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentarycorner view of the window frame and flexible mounting.

Fig. v10 is a vertical section on line 1(l 10,

. Fig. 9, and f Fig. 11 is a detail in perspective of the metal stamping employed for clamping the` flexible,v mounting or fabric interiorly of the main frame.

Throughout the y' several-y gures fof the drawings, I .have employed the same character of reference tolindicate similar parts. p A composite recessed slide orv panel a of slightlyL greater dimensions `than the disap- Fig.A 2, comprising in the instant embodi- `00 pearing window frainejis generally shown in ment, spaced transverse wooden members a, f

a, an exterior metal sheath4 a2., an interior fabric or fabricoid facing a3., and rectangular metal clampmgmembers a4.

The composite window construction of my invention4 comprises an exterior metallic frame b `which advantageously may b e of Lfshaped cross section and isof rectangular dimensions iitting readily 'within the slide of panel a. lA.translucent or glass pane 0 ofV materially smaller rectangular dimensions is provided with a peripheral felt mounting -cand a secondary `orjinclofsing auxiliary frame c3, Vci clamping the felt and edgesof ithe pane by means ofi-screws c`as shown in FiglO. 'Iherealso is clampedbetween said secondary frame members, an intermediate diaphragm derd extending peripherally.

'trom all sides of the pane to the main frame Lf The diaphragm or diaphragms are attached to the lugs c of the bent sheet metal stamping e which is secured interiorly oi' the L-section frame by means of screws e and serves to maintain the diaphragm taut 'for n'iounting the pane therein and preserving it against jar or breakage.

Accordingly, I am enabled to use a lighter and Ycheaper grade oll glass than the plate glass which ordinarily is employed for the disappearing Windows of automobiles and othleryehicles, since the flexible mounting interposes a butler upon all sides of the glass tor absorbing any normal'sboclror'blow.

IVithin the panel or Slide at either side thereof, I provide longitudinal metal strips f having ribs f adapted to bear against the mide members of the frame l), as best shown at the lett in Figs. 1,3 and 5. VThe bottom portion 'f" of eachV strip is outwardly bent to form a cage for the compression springs g Which serve the double purpose of'acting as buffers when the Window is dropped Within the slide, and also insure thepartial protrusion thereof, so that the window maybe raised to any'desired position.

In order to secure'the disappearing Window in any desired adjusted position, I preferably provide at either side of the panel an elongated member or shoe L, as bestv shown in Figs. and, 5, which has a rectangular stem 71. adapted to be acted vvupon by the thumb screw It. for forcing the shoe against the side :trame b. These means hold the trame. from either side in any desired position and.preventrattl'ing of the Window.

then the window is completelyclosed, it is forced down against theV compression spring means so that it is substantially flush with the top o'f the sli-de; the Wedging members e" lin'ovided'upon the laterally movable closure. r/being.adapted to bear against the top of `frame Z1, and hold the Window against the tension of the springs when the closure is forced beneath the. protruding lip 2". This closure member has horizontal movementas indicated in Figs. 7 and 8 and is provided w'th pins 'f and intermediate locking means 3 for ten'iporaigily holding the closure in the position shown in Figs. land 8. whereby the slide is covered andthe ivin,

dmv is retained in its disappearing position within the Panel..

Having now described the preferred embodiment ofvmy invention and explained the principal advantagesand utilities thereof, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Fa'tent, together with such modifications as f may be made by those ordinarily skilled inA the art, the following:

l. In a disappearing window, the combination with a Window frame,'of a slide substantially the height of the frame and adapted to accommodate the same, compression against the tension of the compression spring, substantially as set forth.

2. In a disappearing Window, the combination With a Window frame, ot a slide substantially'the lieightof the trame and adapted to accommodate the same, compression spring means associated with the slide adapted to be engaged by and effect the par tial protrusion of the frame, a yvedging member associated withl the upper portion of the frame, and locking means adapted t react thereon for temporarily retaining the frame Within theV slide against the tension of the compression spring, substantially as set forth. 'Y Y 3. In a disappearing Window, the Vcombination Withavvindow frame, of a slide substantially the height of the frame and adapta ed to laccommodate the same,` a clamping member extending parallel with one side of the frame and positioned within the slide, and Y screw-acting means Vreacting intermediately of said clamping member to release or retain the frame in its adjusted position Within the slide, substantially as set forth.

4; In a disappearing. Window, the/combination with a ivindowtrame, of a slide slibstantiallyuthe height ofthe frame and adapted 'to accommodate the same," elongated clamping members positioned Within the slide adjacent to each lateral `member ofthe Vwindow frame. a stein extending intermeldiately from each oiV said Sclaming"members,

and screw-acting means' associated with said stems for engaging andreleasmg the clamping members with respect [to theside frame members for retaining thewindow in its adjusted position lWithin the slide, substantially 'as set forth.

5. In aA disappearing Window, the combination witha Window frameand a 4slide adapted to accommodate said Window, of compression springs disposed at the bottom of 'the slide. a cover member adapted when VretfactedV to close the slide,` 'and Vlocking means for maintaining the oovermember in its closedrposition, substantially asset forth.

G. In a.' disappearingrwindow, the combination with a Window frame,` of aV slide adapted to receive said'frame and elongated ribbed members within the slide positioned inY alinement With the frame and bearing against the same at either sde-for maintaining the, alinement of thewframe Withrespect to theslide, and means for securing the windofvv frame in its adjusted positions within the slide.` substantially as set forth."

7. In a disappearing Window, the combi- 'nation` with a Window frame, of a slide adapted to accommodate the same, elongatedl of the slide and engagingthe inner edges oi the sidey frames ofthe window, terminal Cages respectively provided in alinement with said members, compression springs 1ocated within said cages in position to be engaged and Compressed by the bottom of the window" frame, and looking means for the window frame, substantially as set forth.

8. In a disappearing Window, the combination with a Window frame, of a slide adapted to receive and inolose said window frame, compression spring means associated with said slide and retracted thereby when the Window frame is fully inserted Within the slide, a Wedging closure member reacting against the top of the frame, adapted to cover the inserted Window frame, and means for temporarily locking the closure and Window frame in the disappearing position of the latter, substantially asset forth.

In Juestimony whereof I (do now affix my signature. Y a f ARTHUR A. ToWERs. 

